News

Deputies shoot four pit bulls, killing three, while serving warrant at San Lorenzo home

By Natalie Neysa Alund Bay Area News Group

Posted:
04/30/2013 07:07:25 AM PDT

Updated:
04/30/2013 07:08:08 AM PDT

SAN LORENZO -- Sheriff's deputies shot four pit bulls, killing three of the dogs, after the animals charged them as they tried to serve a bench warrant on a suspected drug dealer at his Alameda County home Saturday morning.

Alameda County Sheriff's deputies went to David Macias' home in the 300 block of Via Coches at 10 a.m. Saturday. A judge had issued a warrant for Macias' arrest because he failed to appear in court on charges of possession of methamphetamine for sale and vehicle theft, according to Sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson.

When deputies arrived, the front door of the home was wide open, so they knocked and rang the doorbell, Nelson said. No one answered, so deputies announced they were sending a police dog inside.

A woman appeared at the front door and as they spoke with her, four pit bulls charged through the home from the backyard toward the deputies as they stood on the front doorstep, Nelson said. One of the pit bulls charged the police dog and the other three started to attack the deputies at the door.

Deputies opened fire, killing three of the pit bulls and wounding the fourth in its paw. The surviving dog was taken to a local veterinarian's office for treatment.

The K-9 deputy suffered minor injuries, Nelson said, but was home resting on Monday and expected to recover.

Macias remained at large on Monday, Nelson said.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 510-667-3602 or the anonymous tip line at 510-667-3622